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Approach to assessing adolescents on serious or sensitive issues
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
Pediatric Clinics of North America
|March 10, 1998
Summary
Adolescent health providers should screen young patients for high-risk behaviors like substance use and violence. Early identification through tools like the HEADSS interview can improve health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent medicine
- Public health
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Adolescence involves experimentation with high-risk behaviors, contributing to morbidity and mortality.
- Healthcare providers must address sexual activity, substance use, violence, and mental health.
- Patient confidentiality, age, and developmental status are crucial considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of screening adolescents for high-risk behaviors.
- To highlight the role of healthcare providers in early intervention.
- To introduce practical screening tools for adolescent health assessment.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing structured interviews like the HEADSS (Home, Education, Activities, Drugs, Relationships, Sexuality, Suicide/Symptoma) interview.
- Employing validated questionnaires such as the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener) questionnaire.
- Integrating routine screening into adolescent healthcare visits.
Main Results:
- Adolescents engaging in high-risk behaviors face significant health risks.
- Effective screening can identify potential problems early in adolescence.
- Timely intervention increases the likelihood of positive treatment outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare providers need to be proficient in screening for adolescent high-risk behaviors.
- Confidentiality and developmental appropriateness are key to successful screening.
- Early detection and intervention are vital for improving adolescent health and well-being.